Fence Lake, Wisconsin, USA

Fence Lake is an impressive 3,555-acre lake near the town of Minocqua in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Surrounded by the dense hardwood and pine forests of Wisconsin’s beautiful Northwoods region, the lake’s ideal location offers visitors ample opportunity for fishing, hiking, cross county skiing and some of the best nature-watching opportunities in the state. Fence Lake is part of a chain of ten lakes which offer more than…
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    • All About Fence Lake, WI

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Wisconsin - Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI -

    Fence Lake is an impressive 3,555-acre lake near the town of Minocqua in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Surrounded by the dense hardwood and pine forests of Wisconsin’s beautiful Northwoods region, the lake’s ideal location offers visitors ample opportunity for fishing, hiking, cross county skiing and some of the best nature-watching opportunities in the state.

    Fence Lake is part of a chain of ten lakes which offer more than 10,000 acres total of sparkling water. One of the larger lakes in the area, Fence Lake is popular with anglers and boaters. With a maximum depth of 86 feet, the lake is home to a variety of fish including muskie, northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout and bluegill. A public boat ramp on the western shore allows visitors onto the water. The lake can also be reached from Crawling Stone Lake to the west, which is connected to Fence Lake by a navigable channel.

    Vacation rentals on Fence Lake can be found in the form of seasonal and private residences. The 13 miles of shoreline is mostly developed with summer and permanent homes. Lodges, resorts, bed and breakfasts, and hotels are within a short drive of the lake and in the village of Minocqua. Those looking for a retirement home, second home, or piece of land for hunting or fishing will find all kinds of real estate for sale in the area.

    Unlike some vacation areas which shut down during the colder months, visitors to Fence Lake can enjoy the very best of every season. For anglers looking to hit the water early, crappie and bass fishing is excellent after the ice comes off the lake. Spring, summer and fall are the perfect seasons for fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking. With many neighboring lakes, plenty of beautiful beaches and boat launches, paddlers could spend a lifetime exploring the area. Northwoods golf is fantastic in the spring, summer, or fall. Visitors can choose from a variety of courses within a short drive of Fence Lake. The surrounding area also offers a variety of wilderness trails for bikers, hikers, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Located in the “Lake Superior Snow Belt,” there is no shortage of snow and ice for favorite winter activities.

    Boulder Junction, less than an hour northeast, is known as the “winter fun capital of the world.” Year round residents or those simply looking to escape to a winter wonderland can enjoy snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling. During the warmer months, the area offers visitors horseback riding, hiking, fishing, hunting and golfing.

    Mountain bicyclists will love the dozens of excellent mountain bike trails located around Fence Lake. Road bicyclists will also find many quiet routes and paved trails throughout Vilas County.

    Just west of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Fence Lake is an excellent base camp for exploring the 225,000-acre State Forest. Nearly 40 miles of remote and challenging bike and hiking trails and many more miles of old forest roads are open to the outdoor enthusiast. Wildlife in the area ranges from timber wolves to soaring bald eagles. Over two million people visit the forest every year to experience the peace and tranquility of the woods and enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, wildlife watching, nature study, boating, canoeing, and countless other outdoor activities.

    East of Fence Lake, the 850,000-acre Chequamegon National Forest offers unlimited recreational opportunities. Over 365 miles of trails are maintained for snowmobilers and off road vehicles, and 230 miles of trails have been developed for non-motorized use including two national scenic trails and one national recreation trail. The majestic pines and many lakes and streams create a wonderful escape from the drudgery of everyday life.

    For a different kind of adventure, the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation, translated as Lake of the Torches, is located northwest of Fence Lake. Throughout the year the reservation holds many activities. A resort, casino, museum, fish hatchery, campground, and mall can be found on the reservation.

    Whether you are looking for great fishing, hunting, winter sports or just exploring the natural beauty of peaceful woods, you will find it at Fence Lake. With all that the lake and the surrounding Northwoods area has to offer, Fence Lake is truly a vacation destination for the entire family.

    Things to Do at Fence Lake

    These are some activities in the Fence Lake, WI area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Forest
    • National Forest
    • Museum
    • Casino Gambling

    What Kind of Fish Are in Fence Lake?

    Fence Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Brown Trout
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Muskellunge
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Fence Lake

    If you’re considering a Fence Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Fence Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Fence Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Fence Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 3,555 acres

    Shoreline Length: 13 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,584 feet

    Average Depth: 37 feet

    Maximum Depth: 86 feet

    Water Volume: 132,517 acre-feet

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Fence Lake Map
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